TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said Betances has an MRI on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander lacked velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart that clock," Cashman... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said an MRI was done on Betances on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander continued to lack velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury expects to play again following a hip injury, but when that will be is not clear."It's hard to say," the 35-year-old New York Yankees center fielder said Monday. "We're putting a plan together right now. But definitely headed in the right direction."Ellsbury reported more than a month late to spring training due to a rehab program in Arizona for left hip surgery performed last August. He also had issues with plantar fasciitis in the right foot during the offseason."The hip's good," Ellsbury said. "After surgery, just building up right now. Just in the beginning stages of baseball activities."He is running, playing short-range catch and hitting off a tee.Ellsbury hurt his right oblique early in spring training last year and eventually spent the entire season on the disabled list."You want to be out there, for sure," Ellsbury said. "That's why I put in the time, put in the work. You want to contribute, you want to be part of the team. Stay optimistic and just put the work in."Ellsbury is guaranteed $21,142,857 annually through 2020 as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.Ellsbury hit .264 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 112 games in 2017.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia threw 20 pitches Tuesday during his first batting practice session since a heart procedure in December.Sabathia, expected to miss his first two or three regular-season starts, is slated to throw a simulated game Saturday.The 38-year-old, who is retiring after the season, had a stent inserted Dec. 11 after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart. He has had chronic right knee problems that required several operations."He's really responded well to everything," Yankee manager Aaron Boone said. "He's doing well."Sabathia also is suspended for five games for hitting Tampa Bay's catcher Jesus Sucre with a pitch on Sept. 27.The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, Sabathia is 246-153 with a 3.70 ERA and 2,986 strikeouts in 18 major league seasons. He was 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts last season. This will be his 11th year with the Yankees.Center fielder Aaron Hicks, who hurt his back during batting practice March 1, got... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees ace Luis Severino expects to resume a throwing program in two weeks.Severino will miss his scheduled start on opening day on March 28 because of right shoulder inflammation. He was scratched from his first planned start of spring training on Tuesday after feeling discomfort after throwing his first slider in a pregame bullpen session."It's going to be tough for a little bit, but it's better it happened now than into the season or at the end of the season," Severino said Wednesday. "I think it's something that we can treat now and move forward into the season and I'll be able to pitch."Severino underwent an MRI on Tuesday."I wasn't scared because I knew it was nothing bad," Severino said. "Nothing about my shoulder. I think it was something about my muscles."The 25-year-old right-hander will receive a cortisone shot."You get optimistic from the MRI," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Obviously it's a concerning situation until he's on the mound... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees ace Luis Severino expects to resume a throwing program in two weeks.Severino will miss his scheduled opening-day start on March 28 because of right-shoulder inflammation. He was scratched from his first planned spring-training start on Tuesday after feeling discomfort after throwing his first slider in a pregame bullpen session."It's going to be tough for a little bit, but it's better it happened now than into the season or at the end of the season," Severino said Wednesday. "I think it's something that we can treat now and move forward into the season and I'll be able to pitch."Severino underwent an MRI on Tuesday."I wasn't scared because I knew it was nothing bad," Severino said. "Nothing about my shoulder. I think it was something about my muscles."The 25-year-old right-hander will receive a cortisone shot."You get optimistic from the MRI," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Obviously it's a concerning situation until he's on the mound for... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia and Gary Sanchez took big steps forward for the New York Yankees on Friday.Sabathia threw his first bullpen since having a heart procedure in December, and Sanchez played in his initial spring training game following a left shoulder injury.Sabathia, who plans to retire after the season, threw 16 pitches.The 38-year-old lefty had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart. He has had chronic right knee problems that required several operations."Conditioning-wise, knee-wise, everything felt great," Sabathia said. "It was exciting being able to get off the mound."Sanchez, coming back from surgery on Nov. 8, played four innings of defense and went 0 for 2 against the Baltimore Orioles."I knew it was something that was probably nagging him at different times (last year)," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But I also felt like he was fine to impact the ball. I'm sure he grinded through some issues with it, though."The catcher struck... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia and Gary Sanchez took big steps forward for the New York Yankees on Friday.Sabathia threw his first bullpen since having a heart procedure in December, and Sanchez played in his initial spring training game following a left shoulder injury.Sabathia, who plans to retire after the season, threw 16 pitches.The 38-year-old lefty had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart. He has had chronic right knee problems that required several operations."Conditioning-wise, knee-wise, everything felt great," Sabathia said. "It was exciting being able to get off the mound."Sanchez, coming back from surgery on Nov. 8, played four innings of defense and went 0 for 2 against the Baltimore Orioles."I knew it was something that was probably nagging him at different times (last year)," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But I also felt like he was fine to impact the ball. I'm sure he grinded through some issues with it, though."The catcher struck... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia can envision the perfect ending to his final big league season."Right now I'm just focused on trying to win the championship and have a parade at the end of the year," Sabathia said Saturday. "That would be a great way to top this thing off."The 38-year-old Sabathia agreed in early November to an $8 million one-year contract and said 2019 will be his last season.Sabathia had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart in December. He has had chronic right knee problem that has required several operations."Why now? It's time," Sabathia said with a laugh. "My knee, just the shape that it's in. My family is getting older. It's time for me to be with them and be around them."When asked about his dad being home more, son Carter replied, "I know it will be two times funnier in the house because you're funny and mom's funny."Pitchers and catchers at Yankees spring training camp, and some position players taking part in early workouts were... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (second season).2018: 108-54, first place, World Series champions.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park at Fenway South.First Workout: Feb. 13/18.He's Here: OF Gorkys Hernandez, RHP Jenrry Mejia.He's Outta Here: RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Joe Kelly, 2B Ian Kinsler.Going campin': The Red Sox are largely standing pat as they attempt to win back-to-back World Series for the first time in more than a century. The team that won a franchise-record 108 games in the regular season last year is largely intact, with All-Star closer Kimbrel the biggest loss. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is hoping to return from a knee injury that limited him to three games last season. Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon will compete for two spots at catcher.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Clint Frazier showed no hesitation chasing down a fly ball on the warning track and hit batting practice drives well over the left-field fence, appearing to have recovered from the concussion that decimated his 2018 season."It's an exciting feeling," the 24-year-old New York Yankees outfielder said Wednesday after his first pre-spring training workout. "I'm ready to get out there. I wish games started tomorrow. It's been a long road. I'm just happy to be here and ready to go out there and make up for the time that I've lost."A week ahead of spring training, Frazier was joined by Greg Bird, Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres at the Yankees minor league complex. Frazier found his groove during his second round and ended up homering eight times in 35 swings.Acquired from Cleveland on July 31, 2016, in the deal that sent reliever Andrew Miller to the Indians, Frazier got hurt making a leaping catch at the fence during a spring training game at Bradenton, Florida, against Pittsburgh... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he has been talking about Manny Machado with the infielder's agent.New York shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to miss at least half of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, leaving the team in search of an infielder."I've had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado," Cashman said Monday at the winter meetings. "So we are we are definitely focused in the marketplace on those areas of need and he, obviously, is available and solves that area of need. So, not going to deny we've had a conversation. Or two."Cashman said last month that Machado would have to explain his comments that he isn't "Johnny Hustle" and his failure to run hard on the bases, which became glaring in the postseason. Cashman would not say whether he plans to meet with Machado.Bryce Harper, the other top free agent, appears to be of little interest to the Yankees, at least publicly. Asked whether he had met with the Las Vegas... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is out for the season after surgery on his left hip.The Yankees said Tuesday that Ellsbury had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum the previous day. The expected recovery time is about six months.The 34-year-old Ellsbury has been out all season with a number of injuries, including an oblique strain and sore back. The Yankees put him on the 60-day disabled list in May."They were trying to exhaust every other way to try and get him back and get him right, but finally they decided surgery was the way to go," manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees played the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night."Hopefully, this is something that gets him right. He can start back on the mend. From what I understand, the six months will put him in line for spring training," he said.In 112 games last season, Ellsbury hit .264 with 39 RBIs and seven home runs. Signed by the Yankees after helping Boston win the 2013 World Series, Ellsbury is under contract with New York through 2020."Ultimately, I think it points back to the hip," Boone said. "Now that the surgery is behind us, it probably all started with the hip."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is officially out for the season after surgery on his left hip.The Yankees say Ellsbury had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was performed Monday by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.The expected recovery time is about six months.The 34-year-old Ellsbury has been out all season with a number of injuries including an oblique strain and sore back. The Yankees placed him on the 60-day disabled list in May.In 112 games last season, Ellsbury hit .264 with 39 RBIs and seven home runs.Acquired by New York from Boston in 2014, Ellsbury is under contract with the team through 2020.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball trades (all times Eastern):12 a.m.The Boston Red Sox have acquired Ian Kinsler from the Los Angeles Angels to fill in for injured second baseman Dustin Pedroia.Boston is sending Triple-A pitchers Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez to Los Angeles. The Angels are also sending cash.Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced the trade in the clubhouse after a 2-1, 13-inning win over Philadelphia that put Boston a season-best six games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East.Kinsler, 36, is batting .239 with 13 homers and 32 RBIs for the Angels this season. He is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.Pedroia and Kinsler have been connected since their college days, when Pedroia took Kinsler's starting job as shortstop at Arizona State in 2002. Kinsler transferred to Missouri the following year.Pedroia has played just three games this year after left knee surgery in the offseason. Dombrowski says it's likely... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball trades (all times Eastern):11:10 p.m.The Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Adam Duvall from the Cincinnati Reds.The Braves sent right-handers Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker to Cincinnati. All three spent time in Atlanta this season but were with Triple-A Gwinnett at the time of the trade.The 29-year-old Duvall has hit 15 home runs with 61 RBIs but is hitting only .205 this season.Duvall hit 64 homers over the previous two seasons, including 31 in 2017. He was an NL All-Star in 2016.Duvall was also a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of the last two seasons.___8 p.m.The Minnesota Twins have traded right-hander Lance Lynn to the New York Yankees for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin and right-handed pitching prospect Luis Rijo.Minnesota will send $2 million to the Yankees as part of Monday's deal to cover half of the $4 million remaining in Lynn's $12 million salary.The 31-year-old Lynn... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball trades (all times Eastern):8 p.m.The Minnesota Twins have traded right-hander Lance Lynn to the New York Yankees for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin and right-handed pitching prospect Luis Rijo.Minnesota will send $2 million to the Yankees as part of Monday's deal to cover half of the $4 million remaining in Lynn's $12 million salary.The 31-year-old Lynn was 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA in 20 starts for the Twins, walking 62 and striking out 100 in 102 1/3 innings. He is likely to become a long reliever with the Yankees to replace Adam Warren, who was traded to Seattle on Monday.Austin, 26, made his major league debut against Tampa Bay in August 2016, combining with Aaron Judge to become the first teammates to homer in their first major league at-bats in the same game.But Austin never became a regular with the Yankees.___7:20 p.m.The Yankees have traded right-hander Adam Warren to the Seattle Mariners for $1.25 million in international signing... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball trades (all times Eastern):7:20 p.m.The Yankees have traded right-hander Adam Warren to the Seattle Mariners for $1.25 million in international signing bonus pool allotment.The 30-year-old Warren, often used as a long reliever, was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 24 appearances this season, interrupted by a stint on the disabled list from April 21 through June 3 caused by a strained back. He has a $3,315,000 salary and is eligible for free agency after the World Series.New York has raised its bonus pool to $8,752,600 from an original $5,002,600 and lowered its 40-man roster to 38 — plus Jacoby Ellsbury and Ben Heller on the 60-day disabled list.___6:10 p.m.The World Series champion Astros traded Ken Giles to the Toronto Blue Jays along with a pair of pitching prospects for Roberto Osuna.Houston also sent right-handers David Paulino and Hector Perez to Toronto as part of the deal Monday, a day before the deadline for trades without waivers.The 23-year-old... [More]